The Thirty Percent Deficit

[nedlum]

A year ago, I was going to graduate American University with University Honors in Literature.

Six months ago, I was going to graduate American University with University Honors in Literature.

Heck, three months ago, I was going to graduate American University with University Honors in Literature.

Today? Today I gave Professor Noble my thesis.

Comments

[anonymous]

I'll be going through the same process next year for my History thesis; 40 pages of hell. I sympathize in advance.

[greenintern]

I have no idea why I wasn't logged in there.

[thirteenmirrors]

Oh, Alden. *hugs* You're not average at all. The thesis doesn't make you average or not-average -- it's a product of a few months of work, not a judgment on your entire academic career (though I know it feels that way now). I wasn't proud of mine, either. But you got through it, and you don't know, yet, how it will turn out. Try not to beat yourself up about it too much. Like you said, it's over, and that's worth a hell of a lot - don't let the freedom be sullied for you.

I'm rooting for you. :)

[rushthatspeaks]

Oh dear. Sympathy. If it's any consolation, I have literally been exactly here-- as in, I think they passed the thesis out of consideration for my financial situation, because I couldn't afford to go back-- and, well, it's not the best memory and not a paper I reread, but it is survivable and says absolutely nothing about your capacity to do academic work of a better caliber later on. In fact, you will probably be able to do better work in future should you wish because you've examined this and know what is wrong with it.

But don't even try until you're over the burnout. Burnout is a serious thing and the only cure is time, and the harder you push the longer it will last.

[butterboy]

For those of you playing along at home...

Alden=35 pages of an academic thesis that requires intellect, research and a whole lot of other shit.

Basil=2 pages of an (ideally) full-length play that requires basically none of that--just an idea and the concentration and determination to see it through.

Burnout just shows that you actually put in the concentration and determination. Basil has no such excuse.

[digopheliadug]

*hugs*